Frogmore Creek City Opens with The Lounge and Atmosphere
One of Coal River Valley's most loved wineries, Frogmore Creek have created a city outpost in Hobart, welcoming The Lounge and Atmosphere to the MacQ01 waterfront building. Overlooking Kings Wharf with views to Mt Wellington, the casual yet elegant space of The Lounge is the perfect backdrop to experience the range of Frogmore Creek wines, alongside the lunch and dinner menus, all day snacks and concept cocktails. The game is upped at Atmosphere, which is open on Friday and Saturday nights or by appointment, with a theatrical, whimsical and thrilling multi-sensory menu. Designed by Ruben Koopman and The Creative, Atmosphere is a few parts 'Fat Duck' with a dash of Willy Wonka - there's no menu here, just a choice of Stealth (with matched wines), Gold or Bronze.
The Point Revolving Restaurant at Wrest Point
High above Hobart is The Point Revolving Restaurant, with 360 degree views that are ever-changing as the room revolves. A place for turning tables and heads, the restaurant features a French-inspired menu using Tasmania's very best ingredients, and has been for over 40 years. This is special occasion dining at it's finest, with uninterrupted views of the Tasman Bridge, Mount Wellington and the beautiful River Derwent below. The Point is also home of Hobart's highest High Tea, The Point is open for lunch on Friday, High Tea from Wednesday to Sunday and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. Look out for the freshly renovated rooms, almost ready for reveal too.
Kwan Ho by Me Wah at Wrest Point
Tasmania's much loved, Me Wah restaurant has opened their new offering, Kwan Ho at Wrest Point. Meaning 'Noble Man', Kwan Ho is a traditional Chinese shared dining experience taking reference from Cantonese, Sichuan, Shanghai and other Chinese style cuisines. Live Tasmanian seafood takes centre stage - black lip abalone, crayfish, oysters, scallops and the daily catch. The stylish dining room frames the view across the Derwent River and features beautiful Chinese artefacts such as a Sichuan Pottery Han Horse dating back 1400 years.
Suzie Luck's Canteen and Cocktail Bar
Lively and delicious, Suzy Luck's Canteen and Cocktail Bar has hit Salamanca Square with their pan-Asian menu and pretty cocktails. After ten years trading as the popular Hobart haunt Smolt, the Suzie Luck's refresh features cute chequerboard tables, timber canteen style chairs and a big sense of fun. The share menu feature small bites perfect for an afternoon snack, right through to the 12 course Dragon Banquet ($70). The ever-changing drinks menu features local spirits and ingredients, all shaken up into perfectly instagrammable cocktails.
Pharos at Mona
The Pharos of Alexandria - a lighthouse built for Ptolemy I Soter in about 280 BCE - is the inspiration behind a brand new wing of Mona, opening in December. Extending over the river, Pharos will house four major works by James Turrell that promise to push the boundaries of the viewer's perceptual limits. There are also four works from Jean Tinguely, Charles Ross, Richard Wilson and Randy Polumbo on display. A new bar to eat, drink and relax, Faro Tapas Restaurant is part of the space. Featuring a Spanish tapas menu by Executive Chef Vince Trim, with the pink Sangria and black margaritas not to be missed on the drinks menu.
Maria Island Grand Picnic Day Tour
Known as wukaluwikiwayna to the local puthikwilayti people, Maria Island is a fascinating mix of natural history and cultural heritage. The Maria Island Grand Picnic Day Tour starts in Launceston or Triabunna and takes guests on a guided interpretive walk delving into the geology, flora and fauna of the island, as well as bringing the human history to life. Walking past the fossil rich cliffs and along secluded white beaches, the day culminates in a spectacular lunch in the Mess Hall, an area where convicts once ate, with matched Tasmanian wines and beer and local cheeses.
Woolnorth Aerial Experience
There's nothing like seeing a region by air to give a true perspective on how spectacular a place really is. The Woolnorth Aerial Experience starts with a scenic flight from Stanley with Osborne Aviation over the iconic Nut, out to the trio of Robbins, Three Hummock and Trefoil islands and onto Woolnorth Station. Once guests are back on terra firma, a personal guide will conduct a behind-the-scenes tour of the Van Diemen's Land Company, Woolnorth Wind Farm's first installation at Bluff Point and a visit to Cape Grim. After the tour, guests will enjoy a three course lunch of local produce such as Cape Grim Beef, Cape Grim Water, Robbins Island Wagyu Beef, Bolduans Bay Oysters, local seafood including crayfish, abalone and calamari, matched with Josef Chromy Wines, all within the historic grounds of Woolnorth.
Woodbridge Smokehouse Taste House Open
Known for world-class smoked Ocean Trout and Salmon, the Woodbridge Smokehouse has now opened their new Taste House, on a 25 acre orchard half an hour south of Hobart. The fish is reared nearby and smoked on site using local hardwoods including shavings from the apple orchard. The tasting room is open daily (Sunday by appointment) with stunning water views from the tasting table. Try the new salmon spread with lemon and crackers, or join a “Go Behind The Production” Tours ($45) on Thursday and Friday to learn the finer details of smoking including how to fillet, brine, smoke, and hand slice the fish.
Ti Ama
The team from Local Pizza have opened Ti Ama, a fun loving little Italian joint in Battery Point with shared plates, artsy cocktails and a whole lot of local wines and beers to enjoy. With the promise that guests will 'eat, drink, disco”, the tone is set with a huge pizza oven disguised as a disco ball - covered in mirror tiles - and there's a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights. The slow dough wood fired pizza is the hero here, but the fresh house made pasta, salads, salumi and share plates round out the delicious offering. Half the restaurant is available for bookings, otherwise walk ins are welcome. Book at www.tiama.com.au/book
The Den
A new bar on Salamanca, The Den, serves beautiful cocktails and Tasmanian tastes in the luxurious sandstone and timber space. The beer and wine list is heavily local, but it's the cocktails where The Den shines. Guests are loving new favourites such as The Apple Isle, a Granny Smith Infused Vodka, with Yellow Chartreuse, Rosemary & Basil Syrup, Lemon Juice and Ginger Ale. Feeling hungry? The menu is designed to be shared, and to accompany the drinks menu - think Bruny Island oysters, Cygnet Farm mushrooms and bao, skewers and wings to share. The Den opens at 11am daily, with food from 12pm. More information at www.theden.com.au
A Taste of Flinders
Starting out first as an online marketplace, A Taste of Flinders has moved into the real world, opening up as a marketplace for showcasing seasonal local produce and home cooked delights, preserves, coffee, water and boutique liquors. With only 800 locals, they're a talented bunch when it comes to creating quality produce. Founder and Flinders Island local Jo Youl, wanted to celebrate what she calls a paddock, sea and garden to plate philosophy. The store is in Whitemark, and visitors will find coffee, lunch and dinner, fresh produce, wine and honey, as well as other local surprises. Guests can even fly in for the day, ferried via helicopter or light plane from Bridport or Launceston, taking in the stunning view before landing at the Killiecrankie airstrip to explore. More information at www.tasteofflinders.com.au
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